A few thoughts as it appears that the Democrats have finally managed to bribe, cajole and lie their way to a “victory” on health care “reform” later tonight.

• Bart Stupak is either not pro-life or stupid. He’s not stupid.
• Stupak apparently knew this day would come, and accurately predicted that he’s a sell-out.

• You can find the text of the executive order that bought Stupak’s soul here.
• Andy McCarthy notes the world class hypocrisy of President Barack Obama, Stupak and every other Democrat that acquiesces to this abomination.

I know we tire of the hypocrisy, but I really think this is remarkable. We spent the eight years through January 19, 2009, listening to Democrats complain that President Bush had purportedly caused a constitutional crisis by issuing signing statements when he signed bills into law. Democrats and Arlen Specter (now a Democrat) complained that these unenforceable, non-binding expressions of the executive's interpretation of the laws Bush was signing were a usurpation Congress's power to enact legislation.

But now Democrats are going to abide not a mere signing statement but an executive order that purports to have the effect of legislation — in fact, has the effect of nullifying legislation that Congress is simultaneously enacting?

• Has anyone heard the pro-choice caucus or NARAL or NOW screaming bloody murder about the Obama-Stupak deal? No? Well, that gives you an idea of what that deal is worth.
• Stupak is running for re-election against Dr. Dan Benishek. Benishek needs to get a merchant account to take donations post haste.
• Democrats seem to think that once they pass this, the American people will get used to it. I hope they’re wrong. The previous examples they point to (Social Security, Medicare) were passed on a bipartisan basis with strong public support. This legislation has neither.
• I know some people who are of the opinion that Barack Obama must be a successful president, otherwise the American people will never elect another minority to be President of the United States. I don’t think Obama is seen by most of America as a black man. He’s seen by most of America as an arrogant socialist.
• I’d vote for Thomas Sowell for president in a heartbeat.